How To Help Children And Youth Affected By Peer Pressure
Children & youth pay more attention to each other than they do to adults. Children & youth who have good open, supportive, communication with their parents and family are less likely to be led into risky behavior by their friends and social group. Children & youth who are insecure and not sure of who they are can more likely “follow the crowd” to get approval, attention, and to feel safe–even if they “know” better. Without help and good models, peer pressure can lead children & youth into risky behavior that could cause or lead to dangerous challenges for the rest of their lives. Risky behaviors include: low school performance, tobacco, alcohol and drug use/abuse, gang participation, violence, crime, unsafe sex, unsafe driving, etc. Being unable to resist peer pressure can be due to and complicated by: lack of engagement and connection with family and extended family; lack of effective models; immigrant cultural differences; lack of communication and problem solving skills; parental anxiety and worry; parental inability to teach alternatives to peer pressure; learning or developmental delays; physical or emotional discomfort resulting from unhealed accidents, traumas, or abuses of all kinds; prolonged stress; lack of success at school; family financial challenges; nutritional imbalances; exposure to environmental pollution. With support, children & youth can be strong and can resist dangerous peer pressure. Peer pressure happens throughout life. Learning how to deal with it early is good for the whole family.
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First, We Would Investigate |
Second, We Would Investigate |
For Long Term Support |
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On Our Own We Would Try: • Wholesome Pleasures • Back Rubs and Foot Massages • Bedtime Stories and Chats • Replace sodas, juices, sugars, fats, fast foods with water, veggies, whole grains, nuts, protein, fruit, slow food • Long Walks/Hikes • Nature • Pets • Less or No TV, Movies, Video/Computer Games • Nonviolent Communication |
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For Parents: • Make sure that your child or youth knows that you have faith in them and in their ability to make the right choices. • Practice responses to possible peer pressures. • Do not cave in to your child or youth’s claiming “everyone else does it”. Check out these claims with other parents. • Get involved with your child’s life. Ask questions. Meet with other parents. • Take parenting classes as soon as you can. • Don’t abandon your child or youth. Take their complaints seriously. |
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Check out: http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/kh_misc/about.html; www.kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/relationships/peer_pressure.html. |